Monday, October 17, 2016

Some Mississippi Highway Patrol troopers apparently adopted the best business practices of Wells Fargo. Five troopers were busted for allegedly writing ghost DUI tickets so they could get paid under a federal DUI enforcement program.

NHTSA offers grants to law enforcement agencies for DUI enforcement. The grant pays troopers to work DUI enforcement on their off days. Such an arrangement has several benefits. The troopers have an opportunity to earn more money. The Mississippi Highway Patrol gets to put more troopers in the field to arrest drunk drivers at no extra cost.

The troopers in question were allegedly writing fake tickets to turn in with their grant paperwork but were not submitting the tickets to Justice Court or taking anyone to jail. The feds found discrepancies and investigated. DPS conducted its own investigation and charged the five troopers. It should be noted that these troopers were a pack made up of former MHP Colonel Don Berry's pets.

MHP sources say a disciplinary hearing has been scheduled in several weeks. However, the hearing will be conducted by an administrative law judge instead of the usual board comprised of troopers. A Mississippi Department of Public Safety representative declined to comment. The representative said the department would not confirm nor deny the existence of any such investigation.

This is not the first time the Mississippi Department of Public Safety has faced problems using the federal DUI enforcement grants. JJ reported in January 2014:

The U.S. Inspector General slammed the Mississippi Department of Public Safety for misspending $7.1 million in safety grants from 2007 to 2010 in a little-noticed report issued in February 2013. Funds intended to be used for DUI programs were instead used to support other activities in violation of federal law. The abuse was so bad that the IG said only 5% of the citations issued under the program were for DUI offenses. ... Earlier post with copy of IG report.

These troopers should be given their hearing and then terminated; then prosecuted, hopefully, by the feds. Wonder if the state's contributions to their pensions could be forfeited if convicted? A hard example needs to be made!

Hmmm - NHTSA Grant, so each ticket and each associated time sheet should be/could be construed as defrauding the federal government, and each of the supervisors who signed/approved the time sheets could also be investigated for submitting false claims. Way to go MHP, first it was screwing informants, then co-workers and subordinates, then truckers, now its screwing Uncle Sam.

So will these troopers lose their jobs, be prosecuted, pay back the overtime and make the state whole again, or will this follow the usual profile - MHP f*&^%ks up with impunity and puts the taxpayer on the hook to pay back all that grant money?

MHP, steroids ... surely you jest! Maybe 75 years was a good run for the troopers, and it's time to turn the page and consider a new organization. Thanks Albert for finishing off what was already in its death spiral.

If troopers will make up false dui's out of thin air why is that everyone believes you are guilty the second you are arrested for a dui even though you dispute being under the influence of any intoxicating beverage or substance? Every jurisdiction has its own "DUI cop(s)" that are just looking for numbers of arrest. Crooked f-ers.

If they would do this, then every ticket they write becomes a questionable act. If found guilty, they have to be terminated. They possibly got paid and did not work to earn it. They should have to pay that money back. Also, they should face criminal charges.

2:24, MHP is not law enforcement, they exist solely to generate revenue via citations under the guise of safety, and it seems they can't even do that without breaking stupid. I'm with 12:26, it's time to start over and put some professionals on the road.

MHP keeps whining about money for a patrol school, after they pay back this $7 Million, that's going to be a hard sale to lawmakers. After reading this I have even less confidence in that organization. You just gotta wonder, are grant screw-ups and lawsuit payouts line items in the DPS budget, because this shit seems to happen every year.

So let's assume,for arguments sake, that all or most of these "Bogus DUI Tickets" were written in the same geographical area. Now, if you don't think that would affect your auto insurance premium by living in the same geographical area as a bunch of (Bogus)drunk drivers operating around you, then you are a damn fool. Furthermore, I implore The Kingfish to investigate the "Click it or Ticket" program. Should you get caught, the State Law defines the penalty as a single $25 fine to the driver only. No extra fees. Period. Get caught in Brandon, it's $25 as per the law. Get caught in Pearl and its $75 or more. Flowood? You would be astonished. They've got a whole menu to choose from. Get on it Fish.

And some people think brnging for-profit entities into the law enforcement equation is a good idea. The is just the tip of the iceberg compared to letting big corporations write tickets and pay commissions.

Is it believable that any trooper is not on steroids? About one in a million men have the Charles Atlas gene, but 100% of the MHP seem to have it. I've seen them work out in the gym, and a couple of sets of 10 in front of the mirror just does not make muscles bulge out of your skull. What's their trick?

This isn't the first time troopers have done this type of thing. Several years back it was reported that they would write dead people, using their name and date of birth from their tomb stones during call backs details.

It's time for this agency to disappear and for a real state police agency to take it's place.

The Troopers involved were a part of Donnell Berry's, Golden Children. Three of them have already been in a ton of trouble with the patrol, but managed to keep their jobs and positions, because Berry protected them. Two of them should've been fired a long time ago. Hopefully whoever hears the case does what's right and gets these thugs off the patrol.

When you take performance enhancing drugs and certain other chemicals and work out regularly, your balls draw up and your pecker diminishes in size. I heard that straight from an MD who specializes in such stuff as sperm count and motility.

Couple that with short shirt-sleeves that restrict the flow of blood to the arms and brain and you have a zombie out there writing tickets wishing he could get-it-up.

8:26 - right on! People forget where "federal" dollars come from, this program is conducted at no cost to the state, it shifts the expense to the taxpayer at the federal level. Just like all that free homeland security, emergency management and food stamp money.

Thanks mhp for screwing us again - now we're going to have to pay it twice!

Most traffic enforcement has almost nothing to do with the public safety and almost everything to do with money - whether, as in this case, putting in an officer's pocket or, more commonly, putting it in the revenue stream for the state or municipality.

Are these the same five troopers that were double dipping and collecting both federal funds and state pay to participate in active shooter training? Whatever happened to those troopers? With so many DPS stories in the jambalaya, I cant recall if Kingfish covered this one or not. Is this the same old Pack or a different pack?

You can look for this same behavior to be exposed soon over at MDWFP. Both agencies were mandated to increase to (some said) 40% minority uniformed officers. Are there dots to be connected? I don't know. But, how many of the offenders are 'officers of color'?

Who is the Hottest Reporter in Jackson?

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything). Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up. In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!